Farewell from Paul!

The cast of “Word Play” after a field trip.

Dear Puppet Showplace Friends,

Over my nearly 10 years of employment at Puppet Showplace, I managed the box office, helped to build our field trip and touring client base, created and performed original music for a number of productions and pieces seen on stage, and served as a welcoming face (literally and figuratively) for all visitors to the theater. It is with bittersweet emotions that I announce my departure from my position as Box Office Manager, which I have held since 2015. 

Parading down Station Street.

PST has been a home base for me since I joined as an intern back in 2011. I had just moved to the East Coast after finishing a B.A. in music and psychology from UC Davis, and in applying for the position on a whim, I inadvertently discovered a world of creativity and camaraderie to dive headlong into. My first experience of watching a live puppet show was a performance by Sparky’s Puppets, and I was enchanted from the start by the rapid-fire jokes (many of which were squarely aimed at the adults in attendance), by the call-and-response audience engagement, and by the sheer virtuosity and endurance necessary for one puppeteer to perform all the characters, sound effects, and scene changes. I didn’t get to have  the experience of live professional puppetry until I was already an adult, so getting to be a part of an organization that is a regional hub for this art form and facilitating this experience for kids and others was very rewarding.

I consider myself exceptionally lucky to have had the opportunity to learn from and contribute to the organization over these 10 years, and I'm very grateful for the connections and friendships I have made with the artists, business & cultural partners, patrons, and staff. Going forward, I'll still be in the Boston area, and without a doubt I'll be an audience member at future PST shows! You may even see me performing in Good Hearted Entertainment's “Word Play”, or you might hear my music in some yet-to-be-created production. By the way, if you’re interested in checking out my concert music (if you happen to be a fan of both puppets AND contemporary chamber music), you can find some of my recordings at https://soundcloud.com/pitchfieldpaul.

Station Street Sidewalk Sale, Spring 2021.

Thank you all for making me a part of the Puppet Showplace family, and I hope our paths will cross again soon. Until then!

Best wishes,

Paul Watkins

Announcing: Summer Saturdays Outdoor Series!

Live puppet shows are BACK this summer with a FREE outdoor series exploring Brookline’s beautiful neighborhoods, parks, and community spaces. Specially designed for families to safely gather, these shows feature a wide variety of puppetry styles with safe-distanced seating in open-air locations. RSVP here to reserve your spot!

Summer Saturdays 2021 SCHEDULE

• “Jack and the Beanstalk” by Dream Tale Puppets, July 24 at 10:30 am at Emerson Gardens in Brookline Village

• “The Bella Show” by Brenda Huggins and Phil Berman, July 31 at 2:30 and 4:00 pm at Babcock Street Tent in Coolidge Corner

• “Bugsy and Friends” by Pumpernickel Puppets, August 7 at 10:30 am at Murphy Playground in Brookline Village

• “Punschi: The Adventures of Kasper” by Sandglass Theater, August 21 at 6:00 pm at Brookline Place, Brookline Village

• “Sock Monkey Circus” by Good Hearted Entertainment, August 28 at 6:00 pm at Brookline Place, Brookline Village

• “Cardboard Explosion” by Paper Heart Puppets, September 4 at 6:00 pm at Brookline Place, Brookline Village

Learn more about our locations, seating, and policies on the Outdoor Shows: Plan your Visit page!

Thank you to our supporters!

This series is supported by a grant from the Brookline Community Foundation. The Brookline Community Foundation (BCF) creates opportunity and promotes equity through the transformative power of giving. To support this mission, each year BCF makes grants that address needs and opportunities in the community, encourage collaborations and partnerships to better serve the town and our residents, and strengthen local non-­profits.

Meet The New Leadership Team!

Dear Friends of Puppet Showplace Theater,

We—the new leadership team—are honored to step into our roles as co-directors of this historic 47-year-old organization. After the unprecedented challenges that Puppet Showplace endured these past 16 months,  we are energized by all of you who heroically came forward in your own times of crises to make a donation, send support and kindness, and share trust where trust had been lost. 

It is thanks to you—the artists and puppeteers, the families young and old, patrons past and present, community supporters, local businesses, and so many dear friends—that Puppet Showplace is entering this new era stronger than ever! We believe that Puppet Showplace founder Mary Churchill would be proud to know that her vision continues to be shared by so many.

And now, allow us to introduce ourselves!

---

Hannah Swartz, Managing Director

“My name is Hannah Swartz and I am the new Managing Director. An experienced arts administrator, I have built my career working at the intersection of artistic presentation, education, and fundraising, mainly in the museum world. A Toronto native, and most recently a resident of New York City, I spent most of my adult life in the Greater Boston area and will be moving to Brookline with my husband and two young kids, who are already enthusiastic fans of puppetry.

The first time I attended Puppet Showplace was for Puppet Playtime with Harry and Good News Gus. I watched my toddler roll over with the most gleeful belly laugh I’d ever seen. He instantly fell in love with the silly voices, familiar songs, and playful sleight of hand, while I was taken by the welcoming feeling of the space, the intimacy of the experience, and the remarkable talent. Although I am myself fairly crafty and even performative on occasion, on a day-to-day basis I use my creativity to manage teams and solve problems in support of artists and audiences. I’m deeply dedicated to making storytelling and the arts accessible and affordable to people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

I look forward to witnessing a whole new generation of will-be puppetry lovers and storytellers experience the same joy that my son felt.”

Leslie Burton, Artistic Director

“My name is Leslie Burton, and I am the new Artistic Director. As a theater-maker, arts facilitator, scholar, and puppeteer, I have made my way around the USA and Europe pursuing a multiplicity of perspectives on puppetry arts. Though I am new to Brookline and the Boston area as a whole, I am struck by a profound sense of home-coming: I'm returning to this country after living for a decade in southern Ireland, and in joining the Puppet Showplace team, I feel that I have landed in the right spot to keep exploring and sharing the many possibilities of this enchanting medium.

As passionate as I am about the art form of puppetry itself, I am equally devoted to sharing it with as many people as possible. In 2014, whilst studying in Ireland, I presented a show that I wrote, designed, built, and directed. As any puppeteers reading this might guess, I was also a performer, so by the end of the run, I was absolutely exhausted. I don't remember that, though; what I remember instead are two pieces of feedback. One came from a woman in her 60s, who with a soft voice and a childlike sparkle in her eye took me aside and said, “I had no idea puppetry could do that!” The other came from an 8-year-old boy, via his father. At the end of the show, his son had turned to him and, with the air of a seasoned critic, informed him that “that was an excellent puppet show.”

Inspiring that sense of wonder in adults and expertise in children is now my mission. I can't wait to get started.”

---

We are ever so eager to reopen our door to the public and welcome each one of you back into the theater: to draw the red curtains, lift our puppets, and see you smile and laugh together as a chorus.

A theater is more than a space to enjoy performances—it is also a treasure trove of memories and hopes for the future. At its best, a theater is a gathering place that invites an end to separation, offering common touch-points of experience that transform individuals into communities. What draws us to the theater is the promise of connections between friends and strangers, between children and their caregivers, between artists and audiences. 

Stay tuned for announcements about our spectacular Saturday summer series and the theater’s official reopening. We look forward to welcoming everyone back into this space that belongs to all of us. Expect both familiar faces and brand new surprises just around the corner!

Until we meet in person, please get in touch with your questions and concerns at the email addresses below. Contact Hannah at business@puppetshowplace.org with queries about sponsorship, funding, and other ways to support the theater, and contact Leslie at artistic@puppetshowplace.org about artists, program content, and school and community partnerships. Now is a great time to update your contact information with us as well.

Sincerely,

Hannah & Leslie

P.S. To read our bios, visit our Staff page!

Celebrating Roxie's 11 Years as Artistic Director

Artistic Director Roxanna Myhrum is off on a new adventure! Catch her at virtual performances this May and June, and read her letter below sharing memories from her time at the theater, 2010-2021.

Roxie working at First Night Boston, December 2019. Puppet characters by Paul Vincent Davis.

Dear Puppet Showplace Friends and Fans,

After 11+ wonderful years as Puppet Showplace Theater’s Artistic Director, the time has come for me to pass the top hat to someone new. My last official day at the theater will be June 30, 2021. After that, I hope to remain a friend, fan, and supporter for many years to come.

I’m immensely proud of all that we’ve done together, of the connections we’ve made and the artistic expression we’ve enabled.

While every creative encounter made an impact on me, I wanted to share with you some of the projects and initiatives that have been most challenging, memorable, and definitive of my time at Puppet Showplace.

Incubating New Works by Local Artists

When I started at Puppet Showplace, I realized that the theater had an impending “supply chain” problem. Several extraordinary puppeteers were nearing retirement, but years of underinvestment in public arts funding, stagnant municipal budgets, and shrinking opportunities for in-school performances meant fewer artists were entering the field. While Puppet Showplace historically had only worked with performers who had completed full-length shows, I saw an acute need for us to support and invest in new works by local and emerging artists.

A scene from Squirrel Stole My Underpants by The Gottabees, 2013 (Photo: Liz Linder).

 In 2012, we retooled the theater’s “Incubator” meet-up group to focus on supporting local puppeteers through the multi-step process of launching full-length touring productions. In 2013, we debuted 2 new works, Squirrel Stole My Underpants by Bonnie Duncan of The Gottabees and Tall Tales by Brad Shur and Chris Monti.

That first year was a nail-biting experience. There’s a saying in the puppetry world, “You can do whatever you want, as long as you call it Cinderella.” Would our audiences show up for these fantastic but unfamiliar original shows? 

John and Megan of CactusHead Puppets with characters from Magnificent Monster Circus, 2020.

The answer was a resounding “YES!” These shows were a hit, and both went on to reach thousands of people on tour across the region (or, in the case of Squirrel, across multiple continents). To date, the Incubator Program has launched 15 new works by 7 different Massachusetts-based companies. I’m glad this program has helped revitalize new work in New England’s touring puppetry ecosystem, and I’m grateful to all the brave puppeteers who worked so hard to imagine new stories and bring them to life. 

International Collaborations

The Swan by Le Théâtre de Deux Mains.

Puppetry is a global art form. As New England’s puppetry center, we typically focus on showcasing work by artists from our region. At the same time, we participate in cultural ambassadorship by welcoming guest artists from around the world.

 As a relatively small organization, undertaking international presentations is incredibly daunting, made more difficult each year as visa requirements and travel expenses become more onerous. Luckily, we have had many partners, including fellow cultural organizations and diplomats, who have helped make these presentations possible.

My first international presentation was in 2013, when Les Sages Fous (Québec) graced our stage with the magnificent Orphan Circus. Since then, we’ve presented five additional companies from Québec (Le Théâtre de Deux Mains, Des mots d'la dynamite, Puzzle Theater, Lost & Found Puppet Co., and most recently Théâtre des Petites Âmes, who performed Ogo in 2019). In 2018, we also hosted a month-long cross-cultural artist residency with Montreal’s Casteliers Festival, sending Boston-based artist Veronica Barron to Montreal while welcoming Montreal’s Caroline Bernier-Dionne to our theater.

The Brothers Čampur at Puppet Showplace in 2016.

In 2014, we partnered with Great Small Works to present a group of international toy theater artists on tour, including Facto Teatro from Mexico and Barbara Steinitz from Germany. In 2016 and 2017, The Brothers Čampur from Indonesia shared their contemporary Wayang Kulit work and led incredible puppet making workshops. Israel’s Yael Rasooly also visited in 2017 with her internationally acclaimed show Paper Cut. In 2018, we welcomed Commedia dell’arte troupe Teatro Giuliare from Italy, followed by the pioneering Hijinx Theatre from Wales.

Meet Fred cast members arrive from Wales, 2018.

The Hijinx collaboration, supported by a NEFA Expeditions grant, was one of the biggest projects I had ever undertaken, with a neurodiverse cast of 8 artists on tour, multiple presenting and community partners, and performance locations across New England. After over a year of planning, it was a joy when the company finally arrived, and extremely gratifying to hear how much their show Meet Fred impacted Boston audiences. 

In 2019, we hosted Taiwan’s I Wan Jan Puppet Troupe, who astonished us with their Bu Dai Xi hand puppetry skill. This presentation was made possible thanks to the organizing and translating work of puppeteer Margaret Moody, who had studied in Taiwan decades earlier with the company.

With Margaret Moody and the cast of I Wan Jan Puppet Theater Co (Taiwan), 2019.

I hope that international collaborations continue, perhaps with new and exciting virtual formats, as they did this year for World Puppetry Day, when puppeteers from Mexico, Canada, and Japan all performed live in our virtual puppet slam. Thank you to everyone who helped make these collaborations possible…grazie, merci, gracias, danke, תודה, and 谢谢 !

Building Fantastical Worlds with Resident Artists (and Friends!)

One of the highlights of my job has been working in support of our resident artists. When I started at Puppet Showplace in 2010, puppeteer Brad Shur had just begun what would become an 8-year tenure. While we mostly focused on developing his solo touring shows and workshops over those years, we often found ourselves scheming about bigger creative projects that could tap into Brad’s talents as builder/designer and my experiences as a theatrical stage director. We also wanted to create employment opportunities for local puppeteers who were highly skilled but who weren’t necessarily interested in creating puppet shows on their own.  

The cast of Spooky Story Station, 2011.

Brad and I each had a thing for Halloween, and for highly interactive puppetry experiences. In 2011, we created “Spooky Story Station,” a fantastical walk-through experience at the theater designed to enchant young Trick-or-Treaters. About 30 performers, designers, and alumni from our adult classes took part. Even with a shoestring budget, the piece was a unique delight for all who attended. That said, given the enormous amount of work involved, we vowed not to undertake another Halloween project until we had a proper sponsor. 

In 2016, the Franklin Park Zoo asked us to turn an unused corner of the grounds into a fantastical Halloween attraction with an ecological twist. That October, The Midnight Zoo was born. This project ran for 5 weeks outdoors and was seen by over 4,000 attendees. It featured the work of 14 builder/designers, 20 original creatures, and had 28 nightly performers and crew. It was an incredibly rewarding challenge, not only for the creative camaraderie that it fostered, but also for the lasting impact it made on audiences. One family even sent us a picture of a Blood Beast ornament their child made for their Christmas tree.

Lord Midnight and the Blood Beast (created by Big Nazo Labs) in The Midnight Zoo, 2017.

In 2017, Sarah Nolen became Puppet Showplace’s Resident Artist, bringing to Boston her enormous talents as a puppeteer and filmmaker. In 2019, we undertook our own fantastical collaboration. Metropolitan Chorale, a 100-voice choir, wanted to stage Menotti’s madrigal fable The Unicorn, the Gorgon, and the Manticore using puppetry to bring the story to life. One of my most thrilling nights as a director was sitting with Sarah for hours and dissecting the vocal score, listening to recordings, and asking in each moment, “What do you think is happening here?” Together, we dreamed up answers with larger-than-life characters, which Sarah then designed and built. I worked with a fantastic cast of puppeteers to bring the show to life.  Somehow, everything came together for a single sold-out performance for an audience of 400 that ended with a resounding standing ovation (read coverage of our dress rehearsal on the Wonderland Blog).

With Conductor Lisa Graham, Sarah Nolen (center, under the Gorgon), and the cast of “The Unicorn, the Gorgon, and the Manticore,” 2019.

Expanding Education

Students in Puppet Adventure Program with instructors Sarah Nolen, John Regan, and Honey Goodenough, summer 2019.

Puppetry can sometimes seem intimidating or unfamiliar when you’re just starting out. Early on in my tenure, it became clear to me that Puppet Showplace needed to create more opportunities for people of all ages to enter and explore the field, learning skills along the way that empowered them to express themselves through puppetry. Over the past decade, I’ve worked hard to expand our education programs for learners of all ages. This has been possible thanks both to innovative instruction by professional puppeteers, and to schools, community groups, and other partners who have co-created programs with us.

In 2017, Honey Goodenough joined our team as the theater’s first Resident Teaching Artist. She taught in and expanded on our many summer collaborations, and in 2018 helped us pioneer Summer Puppet Academy in partnership with BU’s Wheelock Family Theatre. This summer, she’ll be leading our safe-distanced on-site vacation programs, and I’m thrilled that after such a difficult year, kids will have the opportunity to learn and create with her all summer long.    

Adult puppet building class with Ronald Binion, 2017.

I’m also really proud of our adult education program, which has attracted inspiring, ambitious students of all backgrounds and abilities who have gone on to create and share their own fantastic short-form work. Resident Artists Brad and Sarah both put countless hours into creating and preparing adult classes, as did other amazing puppeteers like Jon Little, Faye Dupras, Brenda Huggins, Bonnie Duncan, Harry LaCoste, Sarah Frechette, Ronald Binion, and many others. 

While at Puppet Showplace I have also had the privilege of teaching students from Pre-K to adult, primarily through college residencies and community-based workshops. In October 2019, I offered my first adult evening class, “Introduction to Puppetry Performance.” The participants were bursting with talent, creativity, and curiosity, and I loved the scenes that they co-created.

A tabletop scene from “Introduction to Puppetry Performance,” 2019.

I hope that the theater’s education programs will continue to thrive and expand to include more sequential / advanced instruction, more diverse teaching artists and puppetry styles, and more opportunities to experiment with original new work.   

Supporting New Work by Black Puppeteers

Puppet Showplace serves an incredibly diverse audience, but that diversity has not always been reflected on our stage. To address this, our Board and staff have made deep commitments to supporting artists of color, and to making puppetry more widely accessible to our community. 

Tanya with Puppet Inno, Sarah Nolen, Innosanto Nagara, and me at a work-in-progress showing, 2019 (Photo: Tess Scheflan).

In 2019 we launched My Night in the Planetarium, a two-year undertaking led by Tanya Nixon-Silberg of Little Uprisings. Sarah Nolen and I collaborated with Tanya and with author/activist Innosanto Nagara to bring his powerful illustrated memoir to life.

Working with Tanya was an unforgettable experience. In addition to her deep insights about unjust systems that perpetuate racism and other forms of inequality, she understands how to tap into children’s innate sense of fairness, as well the connections between puppetry, play, joy, and collective liberation. 

After many conversations with artists and fellow administrators about structural barriers to entry in our field, in 2020 we launched the Black Puppeteer Empowerment Initiative, a national artist residency and grant program to support early-stage creative research by Black puppeteers.

It was both healing and inspiring to come together and create during the pandemic. As one participant wrote of the experience, “With all of the turmoil happening in the world at the time...the virtual connection and feedback felt like social medicine, and validation that as puppeteers we were still alive, relevant, and thriving.”

The first cohort of Black Puppeteer Empowerment Grantees, September 2020.

I am glad that our organization is deeply committed to this ongoing work, which I know will strengthen our entire puppetry community moving forward.

So Many “Thank Yous!”

Fairy Tale Tea Party staff, trustees, artists, and volunteers, 2017.

There are so many more memories that I will treasure, from the hundreds of shows and puppet slam acts I’ve witnessed, to the whimsical galas and festivals we’ve planned, to the thousands of heartfelt interactions I’ve had with audience members of all ages. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who made these adventures possible, including the visionary artists, the generous donors, and all the members of our dedicated staff and Board. I hope that everyone who has encountered Puppet Showplace’s work during this time feels the same spark of joy and inspiration that I get every time I walk through the theater’s doors. 

Looking ahead, I can’t wait to celebrate the theater’s 50th anniversary in 2024, and to see what excitement the next generation of artists and audience members have in store. 

Here’s to 11 years of puppeteers! 
Sincerely,
Roxanna “Roxie” Myhrum
Puppet Showplace Theater Artistic Director, 2010 to 2021

My desk at Puppet Showplace, with mementos from artists and partner organizations over the years, including old license plates from the puppet van used by the theater’s founder Mary Churchill and Resident Artist Emeritus Paul Vincent Davis.

P.S. If you want to learn more about my time at the theater, check out these articles about our work! 

“The Puppet Whisperer,” Puppetry Journal, 2020

“Puppet Showplace Debuts Grant for Black Artists,” The Bay State Banner, 2020

“Creating a Feminist Punch and Judy Show,” HowlRound, 2019

“Meet Roxanna Myhrum” Boston Voyager Interview, 2018

“Life on a Tabletop: An Ancient Art Form Thrives at Puppet Showplace Theater,” Harvard Magazine, 2015

“Celebrating 40 Years of Puppetry,” Brookline Tab, 2015

“Chatting with Slam Curator Roxie Myhrum,” Puppet Slam Network, 2012

Celebrate World Puppetry Day 2021!

The cast of Rock the Boat by Sandglass Theater. Join our voyage on March 21st at 3:00pm ET!

Hi everyone! My name is Elle and I have just begun my journey as an intern here at Puppet Showplace Theater. I am a senior studying Arts Administration. I am looking forward to diving into the arts world in the coming years!

 World Puppetry Day (March 21st) is just around the corner and in celebration, Puppet Showplace Theater is presenting two free, virtual shows with a global focus. 

Myra Su will perform her multi-media show “Inked” in the Puppet Showplace Slam on March 20th.

First, The Puppet Showplace Slam LIVE Virtual Extravaganza for adults and teens will be honoring World Puppetry Day with special guest artists from Mexico (Lormiga Títeres), and Quebec (Les Sages Fous, Caroline Bernier-Dionne), as well as artists from across the United States. The versatile line up will showcase live, short-form puppetry acts, over Zoom on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 8pm. Learn More / RSVP

Next, Rock the Boat is a NEW family-friendly show by Sandglass Theater that will be presented in film form on Sunday, March 21 at 3:00 pm, followed by an interactive Q&A with the cast and creative team. This show features a cast of animal characters (including a hippo poet!) and explores themes of refugees, inclusion, and respectful curiosity.  In the spirit of World Puppetry Day, kids and families will learn about welcoming new friends from near and far. The show also provides a platform for a multi-ethnic ensemble to combine puppetry, movement, music, and poetry for an entertaining, educational, uplifting experience. Learn More/ RSVP.

So what exactly is World Puppetry Day? This yearly celebration held on Sunday, March 21 was launched by international puppetry organization UNIMA in 2003 with the goal of celebrating the vast diversity of global puppetry. In the United States, Puppeteers of America and UNIMA-USA coordinate celebrations and events. Each year, artists from across the world celebrate with their own theatrical performances and workshops. 

As I research this celebration, I am struck by how artists from across the globe are adjusting to COVID responses and using their art for educational purposes. One Kenyan puppeteer, Fedelis Kyalo, has been making public health puppet episodes with his "Ask Dr. Pamoja" series. 

In Japan, a renowned Bunraku puppet master Kanjuro Kiritake has been spending his quarantine sharing his art by making puppets for children and passing down the sacred Bunraku techniques that he learned from his father. 

Another artist, an inspiring young woman from a rural community in Qalyubiyya, Egypt,  21-year-old Basma has built her very own at-home puppet theater from which she broadcasts a weekly puppet show on Facebook. Her show is designed to convey serious messages in a fun way and tackle subject matter such as Covid prevention, positive parenting, and issues affecting young girls in her community. 

Celebrating artists around the world draws attention to the diversity of the global puppetry community and helps introduce the art to new generations of puppeteers. Without such celebration, puppetry practices can be overlooked and even lost in time. 

As arts organizations, it’s important for us to work together to celebrate global puppetry, raising awareness of these cultural traditions and innovations. 

As a new intern at Puppet Showplace Theater, I have experienced just how welcoming puppeteers can be! Just as the world of puppetry is made stronger by every character, puppeteer, and culture that takes part, Puppet Showplace Theater invites YOU, our audience, to become part of puppetry’s global story by joining us for World Puppetry Day weekend, March 20-21, 2021. 

Let’s celebrate World Puppetry Day together!  I look forward to learning from each and every one of you! 

Elle 

Onwards to the Future!

Thanks to the generous support of over 1000 individuals, families, and organizations from around the world, we surpassed our 2020 year-end fundraising goal and saved Puppet Showplace Theater for future generations. Thank you!

We have started off the year filled with renewed hope for the future. Your invaluable support has allowed us to continue our mission of bringing outstanding professional puppetry to audiences in Greater Boston and beyond.

Thanks to your generosity, we are rebuilding. This winter, our resident artists are bringing virtual shows to schools and groups. A new cohort of puppeteers is meeting virtually and developing new work through our Black Puppeteer Empowerment Grant and Creative Research Residency. Plans for virtual family shows, live-streamed puppet slams, adult classes, and youth vacation programs are in the works. Once the warm weather arrives, we will offer outdoor touring shows and relaunch our outdoor performance series so that families can enjoy live performing arts safely.

Even as we faced significant challenges, 2020 was filled with many inspiring moments. What do YOU hope to see in 2021? We welcome you to stay involved, to get in touch with suggestions, and help us chart a course to the future as we head towards recovery.

With Gratitude,
The Puppet Showplace Staff, Artists, and Board of Trustees

Help us set sail for the future! Bonnie Duncan performs a scene from The Gottabees’ "Squirrel Stole My Underpants.” Photo Credit: Liz Linder

A Letter from The President

Gift-wrapping with my daughter Celia in 2017.

Dear Friends of Puppet Showplace,

I write to you at a time when the arts are more vital than ever, at a time when we understand deeply the need for imaginative expression to lift our spirits. Puppet Showplace Theater has brought the joys of puppetry to audiences of all ages since its founding by puppeteer Mary Churchill in 1974. Its history is one of delight, of creativity, of keeping alive traditions of puppetry while supporting the creation of new productions and bringing new artists to our stage. Puppet Showplace is a treasured cultural institution, a destination in Brookline Village that serves as a home to puppeteers from throughout the Northeast and beyond. 

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have not offered live puppetry inside our theater since March. Determined to continue to offer outstanding professional puppetry in whatever way we safely can, during the summer we mounted puppet shows online in interactive formats and featured live puppetry outdoors in socially-distanced performance spaces. For adults and teens, we live-streamed puppet slams, with performers joining us from across the nation and abroad, drawing a national audience to view an impressive line-up of imaginative, sometimes quirky, often moving performances. We supported a new creative initiative for Black puppeteers, bringing their powerful work to a virtual audience.

As most of you know, we suffered a second and near-fatal blow in October: a theft that depleted our bank account and left us in debt. The Board of Trustees responded by immediately taking control of our systems to assure their security. But most important, our community responded. You joined our effort to save Puppet Showplace, and your response has been magnificent: 970 donors to date have stood with us and helped make possible a future for this beloved theater. We have raised sufficient funds to assure that we will be able to pay the rent and retain basic staff in the coming months. Now we seek your continued support so that we can begin to re-envision and recreate that world of whimsy and magic that we all know. 

This winter we hope to offer live-streamed performances while children remain safe at home, and bring virtual puppetry classes to schools and adults. When spring arrives, it should be possible to mount puppet shows in parks and other outdoor spaces. In a post-pandemic world, we look forward to again inviting audiences of all ages back to live performances at 32 Station Street. It is your continued support that will make this possible. Please join us!

With immense gratitude,

Margueritte Murphy

President

Puppet Showplace Board of Trustees

Help us Save Puppet Showplace Theater!

Dear Friends of Puppet Showplace Theater:

In times of trouble, we look to our friends. In the past week, all of us at Puppet Showplace – staff, artists, and Board members – have been greatly moved by your messages of support and concern. Today, we write to tell you that Puppet Showplace needs your help.

We are addressing the theft from our bank account head-on and are working hard to move forward. There is an ongoing police investigation and we continue to work with legal counsel to attempt to recover the funds that were stolen from the organization. We also implemented additional safeguards to our fiscal systems and met with our lawyers and bank officials to ensure that our accounts are safe and secure - they are. 

Now, we are embarking on a fundraising campaign to save Puppet Showplace Theater.  

You have the power to help Puppet Showplace survive.

After careful examination of our current financial circumstances and our ongoing expenses (reduced staff, rent, utilities, and insurance), we need to raise at least $50,000 now to sustain our limited operations through the end of the year. Thanks to the generosity of you, our loyal and caring community, we are already nearly 50% of the way toward achieving this goal! 

Audience at August 2019 preview of “My Night in the Planetarium”. Photo Credit: Tess Scheflan

Here’s how you can help:

• Make a donation at www.puppetshowplace.org/emergency-fund.

• Share this campaign with your social networks, and engage with our social networks to learn about our progress.

• Let us know about any corporate giving initiatives in your business or community.

Thank you so very much for your continued support of Puppet Showplace Theater, a place where artists and audiences have come together to celebrate the joys of puppetry and live performance for 46 years. 

With your help and generosity, we will be able to keep the theater moving forward.  

Sincerely,

The Puppet Showplace Theater Team
and Board of Trustees: 

Margueritte Murphy, President
Edward Zlotkowski, Vice President
Alison Plante, Clerk
Jodi Ekelchik, Treasurer
Lance Eaton

John Lechner
Anthony Leva
Sarah Pisacich
Matt Walczak
Amy West

Puppet Showplace Theater, 1982.

Puppet Showplace Theater, Spring 2020.

An Important Update from Puppet Showplace Theater

Dear Friends of Puppet Showplace Theater:

Puppet Showplace Theater has been devoted to developing innovative puppetry productions to the delight of thousands of children and their families for 46 years. This creative work would not have been possible without your support, for which we are so grateful.

We write to bring your attention to a serious situation that has developed within our organization. On October 7, the Board of Trustees of Puppet Showplace was informed of fiscal irregularities in its bank account. We soon learned that our fiscal controls had been circumvented and that Puppet Showplace’s bank account had been fully depleted. We quickly reported this matter to the Brookline Police Department for investigation, which is ongoing. We are working with legal counsel to understand the full impact on the organization and our options for attempting to recover the funds that were stolen from the organization.

Based on these developments, the Board terminated the employment of the Managing Director.

We and our fellow trustees are working with the organization’s Artistic Director and dedicated staff and resident artists to evaluate what this incident means for our future programming. As we manage this crisis, we will review all of our fiscal operations and expect to institute additional policies and procedures to ensure we are adhering to best practices.

We are grateful for the professionalism and dedication of the employees and artists who have banded together through the pandemic to provide virtual programming during this pause in in-person performances. While this is a devastating and heartbreaking experience, we are hopeful that with the support of our loyal and caring community, our donors and grantors, we will be able to keep the theater moving ahead.

Thank you for your continued support of Puppet Showplace Theater.

Sincerely,

Puppet Showplace Theater Board of Trustees

Margueritte Murphy, President
Edward Zlotkowski, Vice President
Alison Plante, Clerk
Jodi Ekelchik, Treasurer

Look Up! The Gottabees, Reading Rainbow, and Real-Life Hot Air Balloon Adventures

Reading Rainbow’s LeVar Burton visits a Balloon Rally hosted by puppeteer Bonnie Duncan’s family in 1984.

If you’ve ever seen a Gottabees show or any work that puppeteer Bonnie Duncan has made solo, there is often a balloon involved --- whether the balloon helps a character escape, transports them to magical lands, or is a merely a form of transportation. 

For Bonnie, balloons are magical, beautiful, and mysterious. They were also an important part of her childhood.

Read on to learn more about her real-life hot air balloon adventures, and sign up for ScreenPLAY! Episode 4, Look Up: A Hot Air Balloon Adventure on August 26-29 to join Bonnie and the Gottabees on an imaginary flight into the clouds. Learn More / Reserve Tickets.

Bonnie and her balloons…

Bonnie with her grandparents and cousins in the 1980s, awaiting a hot air balloon flight.

Q: Bonnie, what’s your connection to hot air ballooning?

When I was four years old, my family started hot air ballooning.  This became our family’s hobby for 15+ years --- my grandparents, my parents, and my aunt and uncle all had balloons.  Most weekends, we would pack up the van and head to a balloon rally in a neighboring state or fly with other ballooning friends at dawn and then again at dusk.”  

Q: What do you remember from the experience of flying with your family?

Balloon or Baby Dragon? Find out at ScreenPLAY August 26-29!

You cannot control exactly where a balloon goes or lands. Radio communication was limited at the time (there was no GPS readily available), and the chase crew depended on maps, a good sense of direction, and continual attempts at keeping sight of the 7-story high balloon flying overhead in order to meet the balloon when it landed. 

The landowners of wherever we landed were always amazed and overwhelmingly wonderful. For them, a colorful gentle giant that sounded like a dragon had just floated down from the sky and landed in their yard or field at 8:00 am on a Saturday.  

Each flight was a new adventure, filled with characters and experiences that we still recount to this day as a family.  

Q: Do you have any other fun stories to share?

One story that I so love sharing with my own children is that Reading Rainbow was filmed during a balloon rally that my father organized.  LeVar Burton flew in our balloon and was part of our weekend.  I was eight at the time and this was really special because I was a BIG FAN of the show.  But don’t just take my word for it…

The closing credits to Season 2, Episode 1 feature a beautiful sequence that gives you a sense of what it’s like to be in a balloon. You can see all of my family’s and friends’ balloons!! 

Bonnie’s family’s hot air balloons fly during the closing credits for Reading Rainbow (1984).

By the way, not all of this week’s ScreenPLAY! story will be true.

There might be a long-horned cow.... 
There might be a baby dragon...

There might even be a...
JOIN US TO FIND OUT!

Learn More about Bonnie Duncan and The Gottabees at
www.thegottabees.com 

Bonnie with her family around a hot air balloon basket (Bonnie is in the middle wearing a white shirt!)

Take Action: Puppeteers Stand for Justice

Puppetry can be a life-giving source of joy and inspiration. It can also be a powerful force for confronting ugly truths about the world. As puppeteers, we recognize the truth and injustice of racism, and we stand in solidarity with all those who work to dismantle racist systems, practices, and institutions.

Racism manifests itself every day in our work as a cultural organization. We see it in the demographics of our audiences—in the persistent racial segregation of Boston-area schools, the unequal allocation of resources, and the coded assumptions about who belongs in what spaces. We see it burdening artists of color who face prejudice, tokenization, and the emotional labor of code-switching in predominantly white spaces. This all exists against a backdrop of violent and traumatizing news, history, lived reality, and the persistent injustice of present day events.

Thankfully, we also see racism bravely grappled with on stage. In the hands of Black and Brown artists and allies, racism’s shape-shifting nature becomes apparent. We see its power, but also see its vulnerabilities. We experience empathy, we take action, and we feel hope.

Puppet Showplace Theater is an anti-racist institution. We strive to be a safe and welcoming space for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. We see this as our duty, our sacred obligation as a cultural non-profit that receives public funding and asks for public trust. We expect to be held accountable for our actions to the public we serve. We ask that the same accountability be applied to all public servants, from elected officials to police officers, from teachers to fire fighters. We stand in solidarity with all who protest injustice and speak truth. We call on artists and cultural organizations everywhere to set our hands, heads, and hearts to work behind this cause.

Resources to Learn and Take Action

CNN/Sesame Street Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism Town Hall for Kids and Families
Social Justice Books All-Ages Curated Multicultural and Social Justice Book List
Books for Littles Anti-Racism for Kids 101
Working Document for Scaffolded Anti-Racist Resources
Brookline Tab Hundreds March against Racial Injustice in Brookline Village Protest
Brookline Select Board Member Raul Fernandez A Challenge to My Overwhelmingly White, Relatively Wealthy, and Allegedly Progressive Community
Statement from Brookline Police Chief Andy Lipson
Campaign Zero Movement to End Police Violence
Boston Globe Boston. Racism. Image. Reality.
National Movement Site for Black Lives Matter
In the Heart of the Beast Puppet Theater (MN) Justice for George Floyd

Images:
Artistic Director Roxanna Myhrum, Davron Monroe, and Kaitee Tredway in “O, King” (2015).
Tarish Jeghetto Pipkins directing “Just Another Lynching” (2018).
Tanya Nixon-Silberg, Wee The People’s “My Night in the Planetarium” (2020).
Student Rory L.W. in Shadow Puppet Production Lab (2017).
Students Magalie N. and Whitney D. in Introduction to Puppetry Performance (2019).

Announcing: Puppet Showplace Pen Pals!

Bonnie Duncan and Tim Gallagher in a scene from "Poste Restante,” a letter-and-parcel-inspired object theater and dance piece by They Gotta Be Secret Agents.

Dear Puppet Fans,

We miss you! Luckily, there’s a great way for us to stay in touch while we are all still staying apart.

Introducing, the Puppet Showplace Pen Pals program! How does it work? Write a letter or make a card for anyone in the Puppet Showplace family. Seal it in an envelope, add a stamp, put it in your nearest mailbox, and voila! Pretty soon, a letter from us will be delivered right to your door. Note: Letters sent from us will likely include stickers.

Answers to your questions are below!

Pen pal Myla created an amazing card, AND she made us a promo video. We are excited to write her back!

• Whom should I write to? You can write to anyone and everyone at Puppet Showplace Theater! That includes staff, resident artists, visiting puppeteers, or even favorite puppet characters. All of us can be reached at the same address.

• What should I write about? We welcome letters about anything! You could tell us about what you and your family have been doing at home, ask us a question, share a Puppet Showplace memory, or send an idea for a creative project.

• Where should I send my letter? Our mailing address is:

  Puppet Showplace Theater
  32 Station Street
  Brookline MA 02445

• What do I write on the envelope? Write our address in the center, on the side opposite the flap. Be sure to include your own address (the “return address”) in the upper left hand corner. Finally, put a stamp in the upper right hand corner. Here’s a great, kid-friendly tutorial!

Pen pals Zach and Roxie recently tried (unsuccessfully) to mail themselves to their grandparents. Families, we are here for you in your time of need!

• Do I need to write words? Not at all! Puppeteers love expressing things with pictures and interesting materials. We welcome drawings, collages, photos—anything that you can fit in an envelope. Grown-ups, if you want to send us clues on how to interpret something particularly abstract so that we can respond appropriately, please do.

• Do I have to write in English? Nope! Please use whatever language you prefer.

• Where do I get stamps? You can visit your local post office, or order stamps online!

• Is this just for kids? Not at all! Letters are for everyone. Puppet fans of all ages are welcome to write to us. Grown ups can use fancy terms like “epistolary correspondence” if they would prefer.

• When will I get a response? If you’re writing to us from Greater Boston, it usually takes 2-3 days for a letter to arrive. If you’re further away it might take a little longer. We’ll reply to letters as soon as they come in, so you should have a response by the following week.

• Will this help support the Post Office? Yes! We started thinking about this program when we learned that USPS was facing tough times during the pandemic. We wanted to celebrate the bravery and contributions of our mail carriers! Enjoy these Top Twelve Facts about USPS and find out more Ways that You Can Support the U.S. Postal Service.

Thank you postal workers! Resident Teaching Artist Honey Goodenough made and donated this mask to help keep our essential workers safe (and stylish).

• What will you do with the letters? We will save your letters and create a display for when we re-open. Eventually, we will add them to the Puppet Showplace Theater archive as treasured mementos from this time. For inspiration, we will also share pictures over email and social media.

• Can I just e-mail you instead? We are all getting a little bleary-eyed with so much screen time every day. There are many things that you just cannot express through a computer, and there is something uniquely special about getting a letter in the mail. That said, if you need a quick reply or have administrative questions, you can always E-mail Us and we’ll respond there too.

• What if I have never been to Puppet Showplace Theater? Can I still send you a letter? Yes! Let us know a little bit about you if we have never met. We hope you visit us one day!

• Can we mail ourselves to you? Unfortunately, this is no longer allowed by the post office (though we recently learned this wasn’t always the case). We definitely hope to see you in person one day soon, as soon as it is safe to do so!!

Thanks, pen pals! We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Your Friends at Puppet Showplace Theater

P.S. Interested in supporting puppeteers during closure? Visit CONNECT: Puppeteers Online to discover digital content and contribute on our Take Action! Emergency Fund page. Thank you!

Unfortunately you can’t mail yourself to us (sorry Bonnie and Tim). We look forward to getting your letters, though! Also, thank you Tim for your hard work as a dancer-puppeteer-turned-doctor on the front lines of the pandemic in Brooklyn, NY. Your patients are lucky to have your support!

Meet Rachel von Ahn, Development Coordinator!

We’re excited to welcome Rachel to the Puppet Showplace team in the brand new position of Development Coordinator! Rachel will be helping us launch campaigns to support our 5-year vision and will work closely with our vibrant community of members, donors, and volunteers. Recently, we sat down to ask her a few questions about her background, interests, and inspirations.

Q: How did you come to work for a puppet theater?

A: I’m a project manager by day and improv comedian by night. As a performing artist myself, I’ve always been drawn to working in theater. Being a comedian, specifically, I’m also drawn to a fun atmosphere. After years of working for a large-scale healthcare technology company, I wanted to combine my administrative skills with my passion for the performing arts. When I saw the opening for this role, I knew I had to apply. I still can’t help but smile every time I walk into the building or talk about this organization - and for that, I’m very grateful. 

Q: What are your superpowers?

A: I’m going to say the power of “Yes, and!” I’ve found that the positive and productive “Yes, and!” philosophy used in improv comedy is useful in work and life as well as on the stage. I’ve honed this superpower performing improv for about 11 years (7 years professionally in Boston). In my performances, I work with others to build a live show on the spot without a script. As improvisers, we have to be open and honest about what inspires us while supporting choices that come from anyone on the team. It’s also super fun. I’m looking forward to getting people excited to say “yes!” to the many great initiatives underway at Puppet Showplace, and to listening for ways that our team can support and build on initiatives that come from our community. And of course...I’m excited about leveling up in Sarah Nolen’s Puppet Improv class!

Q: Why do you care about funding for arts in Boston?

A: To me, it’s not just about providing entertainment, but about supporting the shared experience of seeing live theater. Art teaches us all so much--it creates connections and sparks conversations. We need to ensure we sustain that sort of creative education for our communities. Boston is full of talented artists and opportunities to experience art. It’s very important to me that we do everything we can to fund innovative productions and programs, not only for artists to thrive in their creative careers, but for people of all ages and backgrounds to be able to access all of the enriching art Boston has to offer. 

Q: What inspires you about PST?

A: Wow, where do I start? First, I was instantly drawn to the history behind this organization, starting with the beautiful, historic space that is 32 Station Street. There’s a special feeling when you walk through this building, knowing it houses 45 years’ worth of stories and memories. Mary Churchill founded this organization in 1974 and it remains a treasured part of this community because of generous support from individual donors, local businesses, and foundation and government grants. 

Then, there are the people. I love hearing stories of how folks first discovered Puppet Showplace and what keeps them coming back week after week, and year after year. Seeing the joy that Puppet Showplace brings our patrons and supporters of all ages - as well as our passionate and dedicated staff - motivates me day-to-day.

Finally, there’s the art of puppetry itself. I feel like most of us, when we think of puppets, can picture a handmade character we’ve encountered at some point in our lives. Learning the history behind this amazing art form, seeing the work that goes into a production, and witnessing puppetry’s impact on the audiences and the community is quite inspirational. Through puppetry, there are so many ways a story can be told, and so many ways to engage an audience!

I continue to be blown away by the performances, from the hilarious and unique pieces at the Puppet Showplace Slam, to the magnificent mainstage shows. I’m learning something new every day, and can’t wait to see what the future holds! 

Want to learn more about opportunities to support Puppet Showplace Theater, or have ideas for a future campaign? Contact Rachel at development@puppetshowplace.org. 

Rachel’s first day selfie with Elvis Frostley. Puppet created by Jon Little, Little’s Creatures.

Puppets Around the World!

Travel the world with a puppeteer as your guide! Our newest series kicks off February 27th with stories and puppetry styles from around the globe. Join us as we celebrate World Puppetry Day all month long!

“Puppets Around the World” runs through Sunday, March 29. For individual show descriptions and online ticket purchases visit our mainstage page. 

Puppets Around the World 2020 SCHEDULE
Thursday and Friday Weekday shows at 10:30 am
Saturday & Sunday at 1:00 & 3:00 pm.

• "Lisa the Wise" by Sarah Nolen, Resident Artist (Thurs 2/27-Sun 3/1).

• "The Monkey King" by Margaret Moody Puppets (Thurs 3/5-Sun 3/8).

• "Punschi: The Adventures of Kasper" by Jana Zeller , Sandglass Theater (Thurs 3/12-Sun 3/15).

• "Fox Fables " by The WonderSpark Puppets (Thurs 3/19-Sun 3/22).

• "Shadows Around the World" by Nappy’s Puppets (Thurs 3/26-Sun 3/29).

A Journey through the Archives

Hello everyone! It's Asa again, Puppet Showplace Theater's Winter 2020 Artistic Intern. As my internship at Puppet Showplace draws to a close, I thought I might share with you some of the work I have been doing here over the last six weeks.

A significant part of my internship has involved looking through Puppet Showplace's archival collection, mostly investigating materials related to the career of the theater's very first resident puppeteer, Paul Vincent Davis. However, in the process of scanning over boxes of files and digging through trunks of puppets, I came across several strange and wonderful artifacts from Puppet Showplace's past!

BREAKTHROUGH BASH

"Puppet party was smashing success" by P.T. Bates - Brookline Chronicle Citizen, May 14, 1981. Douglas Ecker is pictured "breaking through" the brick wall that separated the lobby from the theater.

In 1981, Puppet Showplace shifted from 31 to 32 Station Street, and a building renovation allowed for higher audience capacity and better facilities. This article, printed in a 1981 issue of the Brookline Chronicle Citizen, reports on the opening party held to celebrate the expansion. It says that before the expansion, the space that is now exclusively the lobby had to be completely reconfigured into a performance space any time a show was being held. In addition, the stage at the time was tiny—only 9 feet by 12 feet! With the addition of the new theater space, the lobby was able to house a permanent office area, display shelves, and its signature puppet store. The new theater could accommodate a larger stage and more seating. It completely transformed the theater experience, allowing the audience to congregate in the lobby, whereas before, there would have been nowhere to go but outside! Now, as the Puppet Showplace staff and board look ahead to the theater’s 50th anniversary and plan for future renovations, it’s exciting to look back and see all of the transformations that have taken place to make Station Street a welcoming space for artists and audiences alike.

AN INTENTIONAL COMMUNITY

Non-Party Invitation - Puppet Showplace Theater, June 2, 1993

One of the key elements of Puppet Showplace's culture is the attention given to cultivating community within the puppetry world. In this humorous mailing from 1993, Puppet Showplace invites audiences to celebrate their 19th anniversary with a "Non-Party"—that is to say, a generous donation from you to the theater sent from the comfort of your own home, completely free from the inconveniences of having to get dressed up, battle traffic, and eat party food. 

This hilarious, personable approach to fundraising reveals a sensibility that I viewed in several other materials as well. In addition to looking through file boxes, I began my archival investigations by looking through old issues of the Boston Area Guild of Puppetry's publication, Control Stick. These publications depict guild meetings at Puppet Showplace as informal, friendly, and fun events that included potlucks, lectures, demonstrations, performances, and socialization. The members were well acquainted with one another, and accepting and supportive of new members. This playful but dedicated sensibility is continued today, such as a when guild members and local puppeteers visited Paul Vincent Davis’ retirement community to celebrate his 85th birthday with a performance cabaret.

AN EYE FOR THE EXPERIMENTAL

"The Poet's Eye" Puppetplaybill - Theatre By All Means: A Resident Company of The Puppet Showplace Theater, January 1992

Puppet Showplace presents puppet theater for all ages, and adult audiences were never an exception. The Poet's Eye, a show produced in 1992 and performed by Paul Vincent Davis, Nikki Tilroe, Caleb Fullam, and Roger Z. Miller under the name of the company "Theatre By All Means," is just one example of the thoughtful, creative, and experimental productions that have been presented here over the years. The premise of the show was that it would be "A Concert of Theatre Pieces," featuring vignettes from various literary and theatrical sources from around the world, composed collaboratively and presented in puppetry. While several company members had backgrounds as commercial entertainers (Nikki Tilroe is most famous for puppeteering Snuggles the Bear for Downy Fabric Softener commercials), in this production, they drew upon revered classics such as Shakespeare, Commedia dell'Arte, Japanese folklore, and Shinto myth. Today, Puppet Showplace continues to facilitate work that stretches the limits of what puppetry can be in events such as the Puppet Slam, in which members of the puppetry community are able to showcase their work and collaborate with each other to create something extraordinary.

CARING CLOWNS

Pierrot - Paul Vincent Davis, 2007

This Pierrot puppet, created for the 2007 production Here Come the Clowns, is just one of Paul Vincent Davis's many clown characters. Paul previously explored the world of the "circus clown" in the 70s, in his show Bingo the Circus Dog, and the "Commedia clown" in variety productions like The Poet's Eye. With Pierrot, he builds on this previous work, updating the classic character to reflect the diversity of Puppet Showplace’s audiences. The character has a friendly smile rather than a face of despair. In an article published in a 2007 issue of Brookline Magazine promoting the show, Vincent Davis expressed concern that many children were afraid of clowns, and that with this show, he sought to change that. This Pierrot is the perfect example of an approachable clown, so I would say that he succeeded! 

GLOBALLY CONNECTED

"Puppetshow benefits AI" — Brookline Citizen, April 19, 1984

Puppet Showplace has continuously dedicated itself to promoting social and global change. This article, published in The Brookline Citizen in 1984 advertises a fundraiser that Puppet Showplace held in partnership with Amnesty International in order to raise funds for the organization. It claims that this event was the first time that Amnesty International had directly reached out to kids in their efforts to promote world peace and human rights. The benefit also featured a special performance of Paul Vincent Davis's shows The Golden Axe and Three Festival Dances, which are based on a Japanese folk tale and traditional Japanese folk dances, respectively.

The world of puppetry is inherently global and cross-cultural. As an art form that has its roots in folk tradition across the world, part of the joy of puppetry is sharing local techniques with those on the other side of the globe. During my internship, our staff and the team from the Ballard Institute discussed the dangers of stereotype and exoticism, and how the norms of cultural representation have changed over time. I learned about how Paul engaged deeply with the Japanese community in Boston, and how he travelled to Japan to learn and share his work. It’s clear that cross-cultural engagement can lead to amazing collaborations when they are informed and handled sensitively.

Maiko Dancer - Paul Vincent Davis, 1979

Today, we encourage an engaged global dialogue at Puppet Showplace with productions such as our current mainstage show, My Night In the Planetarium, in which audiences are transported to 1970s Jakarta, Indonesia in order to be inspired to make the world more fair with the power of political art. In the broader world of puppetry, organizations such as UNIMA continue to host events which encourage international collaboration between puppet artists, and Resident Artist Sarah Nolen will lead a group from the Americas to the World Puppetry Congress in Bali this spring.

UNIDENTIFIED AND UNFINISHED PUPPETS

One of the things that has made the biggest impression on me during my internship is how the materiality of a puppet show can sometimes be the prompt for a show's entire premise. A show may begin with an idea for an interesting material, movement, or mechanism, which then dictates that a story be written that would allow that element to be used to its fullest. These unidentified and unfinished puppets are relics of this unique process, reflecting the spark of inspiration that lead to their creation. Whether or not they found their way into a full production, each of these puppets still contains a story.

Exploring the archives at Puppet Showplace has taught me a lot about the history of this theater and the world of puppetry. In the future, I intend to seek out more puppetry after having sampled a taste of the fantastic work that can emerge from the art form. I am going to miss working here, and I look forward to returning one day to catch a show!

If you would like to see a selection of some of Paul Vincent Davis's puppets in person, the Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry in Storrs, Connecticut will be exhibiting his work through June 7, 2020.

Behind the Scenes: Magnificent Monster Circus

John performs an excerpt from “Magnificent Monster Circus” at the Member Tea Party in October.

Hi everyone! My name is Asa, and I'm the Artistic Intern here at Puppet Showplace Theater this winter. I'm writing to share an insider's perspective on Magnificent Monster Circus, the newest show from CactusHead Puppets that premieres this month as part of the “New Year, New Shows!” series. This show was part of Puppet Showplace Theater’s Incubator Program which supports new work by local artists. I was lucky enough to see a sneak-peek of this fantabulous show at First Night Boston, so I was excited to ask John and Megan of CactusHead Puppets a few questions to find out more about their process.

What were some of your design inspirations?

John and Megan of CactusHead Puppets pose with their Magnificent Monsters.

John: We started with a classic circus design. And then we made it WEIRD!

Megan: We looked at images of classic, old-time circuses, because we definitely wanted that influence in our production design. We wanted friendly, not scary, monsters, so we researched a lot of cartoon-style images. We also looked at various creatures and based some of the monsters on existing animals. Agnes is a four-limbed cephalopod…

John: And Clarissa is kind of an anteater.

Q: How did you develop the talents and personalities of each monster?

J: Very little exact planning went into any of these puppets. We learned a lot about them by building and playing. We knew we wanted them to have different talents based on circus acts. The only one that we didn't know ahead of time was the worm.

M: The worm is made from a pop-up cat tunnel that we found when we wanted to build a monster with a bigger body that would move in a cool way. Now it’s a bit like a lion-taming routine, though the worm’s personality is more like a squirmy baby.

Q: Eustace the Unicycling Unimonster has been part of the show since its earliest performance. Can you tell us a little about Eustace?

J: We kind of just really wanted an adorable unicycling monster. I thought it would be a cool mechanism to work on so it really was design first, character discovery later. He went through a lot of changes; he used to have one eye and no horns, and he was very plain and couldn't focus.

M: A lot of his personality developed as we played with him and had him interact with audiences. He loves to do flips and land in unexpected places. That said, he's a little nervous.

J: He's very confident in his act, but can be spooked by other creatures. With a little coaxing and encouragement, he learns to be brave and try new things.

Q: You've been testing scenes from Magnificent Monster Circus for over a year now. How has the show grown through those test performances?

Megan brings Eustace into the audience during a preview performance at First Night Boston.

M: There's a lot of audience interaction that was developed with test audiences—it's impossible to fully rehearse that kind of thing without the audience there. 

J: We originally thought that this show was going to be like a flea circus—that it was going to be miniature and confined to the table top. As we did it with people, we realized the characters could go past into the audience, and that things like kids’ heads and hands could also be performance surfaces. It helped make our small, portable show feel much bigger and made the experience more immersive.

Q: You have been puppeteering together for over 15 years, but this is your first show where only one of you is performing on stage at once. What has your approach been to working together on this show?

Megan performs with the Fiery Fanged Worm

M: It has been a very collaborative effort! There would often be one of us who was more excited and inspired by one monster or another, so that person would take the creative lead on that act, design-wise and also performance-wise. For example, I did a lot of the Fiery Fanged Worm design, but then I handed it off to John, who figured out a lot of the performance aspects. Sometimes we would work independently then we'd meet together and decide what discoveries were worth trying with a test audience.

J: It was weird, I would get super anxious—even though we work together all the time!—because Megan was watching. It is nerve-wracking to perform for your spouse! But it has been a great experience for our company, because both of us are now able to perform this as a solo show.

Q: What are you most excited to share with audiences?

M: We're excited for people to experience what it's like to be a monster caretaker.

J: I can’t wait to share the world that we have made! 

I really enjoyed talking to John and Megan and learned a lot about the creation of a new show. I am certainly looking forward to meeting all of the monsters of Magnificent Monster Circus, and how to see you at the show! The performance runs January 11 - 26 at Puppet Showplace Theater. Learn More / Get Tickets.

Intern Asa poses with John, Megan and PST artists at First Night Boston.

Give the Gift of Puppetry - Holiday Guide 2019!

Meet Junior, one of the stars of “Go Home Tiny Monster”! Photo credit: Liz Linder

Puppet Showplace has new shows every week through the holiday season, kicking off this Thanksgiving weekend with “Go Home Tiny Monster” and running through to New Year’s Day with “The Amazing Story Machine”! Tickets sell out fast, so make sure to purchase your tickets in advance.

While you’re here for a show, do your holiday shopping in our Puppet Store, or purchase tickets, memberships, or gift cards online at any time! 

Puppet Store

We carry plush Folkmanis puppets in all shapes and sizes!

Our store has great gifts for puppet fans of all ages! From adorable Folkmanis animal puppets to a beautiful array of marionettes, the Puppet Showplace store has the most comprehensive selection of puppets for sale in Greater Boston. And remember, Members receive 10% off all store purchases.

Members make great puppetry possible!

Gift Memberships

Memberships make great gifts! Share a year of puppetry with someone special on your list. Memberships include complimentary tickets, discounts on shows, store purchases, birthday parties, and classes. Throughout the year, members will also receive invitations to special members-only events.

Four levels of membership are available: basic, family, puppets at night, and enthusiast. This gift is a great way to support the theater while making someone a part of the Puppet Showplace Theater family. 

Folkmanis finger puppets make great stocking stuffers!

Gift Cards

Can't decide what to get? We have the answer! Purchase a Puppet Showplace Gift Card, redeemable for tickets, puppet store purchases, adult/family workshops, and more! Gift cards are one of our most popular holiday items, and are available for purchase online or in person. Get one for everyone on your list!

Give the Gift of Puppetry to Kids in Need!

Students on a field trip to Puppet Showplace Theater, supported by YOUR gifts to the Mary Churchill Memorial Fund!

Want to share the magic of puppetry with schools and camps whose students come from low-income communities? Make a tax-deductible contribution to the Mary Churchill Memorial Fund, our field trip subsidy program. It's a great way to spread joy this holiday season. Your gift allows us to welcome over 1,000 kids to Puppet Showplace theater every year. 

Thank you for making Puppet Showplace a part of your holidays, and every day! 

Out of this World!

Blast off with our newest series! Celebrate inventors, explorers, and pioneers as you travel to imaginary worlds with intrepid puppeteers.

“Out of this World” runs from Thursday, November 7 - Wednesday, January 1. Tickets are $12.50-$16/general admission, $9-$12/members . For individual show descriptions and online ticket purchases visit our mainstage page. 

Out of this World 2019 SCHEDULE
Saturday & Sunday at 1:00 & 3:00 pm.
Thursday and Friday Weekday shows at 10:30 am.
Holiday / Vacation Showtimes: Monday November 11, Friday November 29 at 10:30 am and 1:00 pm.
New Year’s Eve & Day: December 31 and January 1 at 10:30, 1:00, and 3:00.
Special performance of OGO: Thursday - Saturday December 5-7 at 10:30

• "The Perils of Mr. Punch: The Astronut" by Modern Times Theater (Thurs 11/7-Mon 11/11).

• "African Adventure Tales" by Crabgrass Puppet Theatre (Thurs 11/14-Sun 11/17).

• "The Bremen Town Musicians" by CactusHead Puppets (Thurs 11/21-Sun 11/24).

• "Go Home Tiny Monster" by The Gottabees (Fri 11/29-Sun 12/1).

• "OGO" by Théâtre des Petites Âmes (Thurs 12/5-Sat 12/7).

• "Snow White and Other Tales" by Perry Alley Theatre (Sat 12/7-Sun 12/8).

• "The Snowflake Man" by Sarah Frechette, PuppetKabob (Thurs 12/12-Sun 12/15).

• "Holiday Sing-Along" with Sarah Nolen and Phil Berman (Thurs 12/19-Fri 12/20).

• "The Fairy Circus" by Tanglewood Marionettes (Sat 12/21-Sun 12/22).

• "Cinderella" by Tanglewood Marionettes (Mon 12/23-Tues 12/24, Thurs 12/26).

• "Peter and the Wolf" by National Marionette Theatre (Fri 12/27-Sat 12/28).

• "The Amazing Story Machine" by Doppelskope (Sun 12/29-Wed 1/1).

Animal Autumn!

A menagerie takes the mainstage with our Animal Autumn series! Come along on adventures with creatures real & fantastical as we journey into fall.

Animal Autumn runs from Saturday, September 7 - Saturday, November 2. Tickets are $12.50-$16/general admission, $9-$12/members . For individual show descriptions and online ticket purchases visit our mainstage page. 

Animal Autumn 2019 SCHEDULE
September 7 - November 2: Saturday & Sunday at 1:00 & 3:00 pm.
October 31 - November 1: Thursday and Friday Weekday shows at 10:30 am
Special Holiday Showtimes: Monday October 14 at 10:30 am and 1:00 pm (Indigenous People’s Day).

• "The Bella Show: BUGS!" by Brenda Huggins and Phil Berman (Sat 9/7-Sun 9/8).

• "The Three Pigs and Other Tales" by Deborah Costine Nature Puppets (Sat 9/14-Sun 9/15).

• "The Frog Prince and Other Frogs" by Perry Alley Theatre (Sat 9/21-Sun 9/22).

• "Animalia" by Hobey Ford’s Golden Rod Puppets (Sat 9/28-Sun 9/29).

• "Sock Monkey Circus" by Good Hearted Entertainment (Sat 10/5-Sun 10/6).

• "Sir George and the Dragon" by Pumpernickel Puppets (Sat 10/12-Mon 10/14).

• "Legend of the Snow Queen" by Puppet Bucket Productions (Sat 10/19-Sun 10/20).

• "The Fairy Tailor" by Sarah Nolen, Resident Artist (Sat 10/26-Sun 10/27).

• "Raccoon Tales" created by Paul Vincent Davis, performed by Brad Shur (Thurs 10/31-11/2).

Thank You and Farewell to Cat!

Cat exploring shadow puppetry in a staff workshop.

Managing Director Cat Meilus is off on a new adventure! Read her letter below, and stop by this August to say “farewell” in person.

Dear Friends,

When I first applied to work at Puppet Showplace Theater, I had no idea that puppetry would have such an impact on my personal and professional life. I joined the theater in 2012 after working for many years as a freelance stage manager, including a backstage gig on a puppet-filled production of  Avenue Q. My starting position at Puppet Showplace was as a Box Office Associate, where I directly helped thousands of people experience joyful, transformative puppetry productions every year. From there, I became the Audience Services Manager, and finally, the theater’s Managing Director, a position I have happily held for the last four years.

Cat at Puppet Showplace in 2014, in her role as Audience Services Manager.

In this role, I have been proud to lead our team towards several major administrative accomplishments that I would not have thought possible when I first walked through these doors. While I had no formal training in fundraising, I worked with our staff and board to research and identify new grantors, create a clear planning calendar, and hone our proposal writing process. In four years, we have more than doubled our grant revenue.  This included a major Cultural Facilities Fund grant through the Massachusetts Cultural Council, which awarded us the funds needed to upgrade our air conditioning systems. I hope you think of me on a hot summer day as you cool off in our theater and lobby!

I am also incredibly proud of my work with our HR committee to create the theater’s parental leave policy. While Puppet Showplace has always been deeply dedicated to the families in our audience, we lacked a clear road map for conferring  benefits to our staff. As the first full time staff member at Puppet Showplace to become a parent while employed here, it was important to me that I use my personal experience to advocate for a policy that went beyond minimum legal requirements and honored our values by supporting families both on and off stage.

Beyond my professional accomplishments at Puppet Showplace, one of the things I have always loved about this theater is that I can share it with every single member of my family. Mainstage performances have provided fun weekend outings for me and my sister to share together with our children. My mother has become a huge Puppet Slam fan, hardly missing a single one in years. Puppets at Night shows have been memorable date nights for me and my husband. But, nothing has been as special as watching my daughter, Reilly, grow up with me here at Puppet Showplace. As a regular Puppet Playtime attendee practically from birth, Reilly feels completely at home here at the theater and has grown to be a model audience member for the “big kid” Mainstage shows. She creates puppets out of nearly anything she can get her hands on, and loves getting the newest Puppet Showplace postcard in the mail so she can pick our next show or find her puppeteer friends’ pictures. Watching her experience the sheer magic of a puppet show has been one of my greatest parenting joys.

Cat Speaking at a Fundraising Gala with Artistic Director Roxie Myhrum and Puppet Showplace supporter and WGBH Radio Host Brian O’Donovan.

With my family welcoming our second child in September, I am looking forward to channeling the important work I’ve done here for the last seven years into raising the next generation of Puppet Showplace fans. I know I will still find myself here often, sharing puppetry with my entire family and working hard to spread the word about this incredible creative community. 

My last day at Puppet Showplace will be August 31st. I invite you to come by this month to say farewell, share a memory or two,  and catch a performance.

Thank you for making me a part of the Puppet Showplace family! 

Sincerely,

Cat Meilus

Cat welcomes audiences through the wheel-access entrance, one of the many projects she worked on while at Puppet Showplace Theater.